抄録
Self-build housing refers to houses that are constructed and later occupied by the owners. In Kenya, self-build housing has become a major source of house production due to recent decline in public housing provision. Unfortunately land ownership in areas where self-build housing occurs is mainly informal, the basic infrastructure is poor and financing is difficult to obtain. As a result, most self-builders occupy incomplete houses and continue the construction process incrementally. This paper addresses the disconnect between government policy on housing and the challenges facing selfbuilders. The aim is to recommend specific policies that will facilitate private sector involvement in urban housing.
Analysis of factors affecting self-build house construction reveals that self-builders do not consider tenure a major problem. The implication is that moving into the house as soon as possible may be a strategy to secure ownership rights. The main complaint by self-builders is the poor condition of basic infrastructure, lack of transport and an expensive and restrictive financing system. Nevertheless, it is imperative to regularize land ownership as it is central to the self-build housing process. There is need to review lending interest rates and regulations and to encourage partnerships between self-builders, the private sector and city council in infrastructure development.
